Diagnose my tank problems!

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E

Eazy

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 15, 2009
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Gainesville, FL
I have three 6-8" tinfoil barbs, a 3.5" oscar, and an 8" pleco in a 120 gallon (60x18x26tall). I have 2 emporer 400's with cut to size filter foam (no carbon) and biowheels, a 1500gph powerhead, and I've been changing 30% of the water once a week. I also have a very large piece of driftwood.

There were 2 chemi-pure carbon nylon bags in my filters (one in each), and I removed them 2 or 3 days ago after reading about so many people not using carbon with perfectly fine results.

I did a 30% water change 5 days ago and I just tested my water...

0.25-0.5 ammonia
0 nitrite
20 nitrate
6.0 or lower pH (test kit won't read any lower than 6.0)

I tested the water from my tap and it had a 7.6 pH.

Do you think removing those chemi-pure bags caused a loss of beneficial bacteria and my ammonia increased?
Do you think the driftwood is causing the low pH? I've had the driftwood in my tank for probably 6 months.



Here's a picture of the tank.

29xck77.jpg
 
While Carbon may not help your system, the bags themselfs likely had some BB on them. So you might have removed some of the bio media, what else is in the filter for bio.

Drift would can lower your pH, I had a problem with low pH with drift wood, I ended up using crushed coral in my sump to help out. Nitrate levels that are high, which yours are not, can cause lowering pH over time.


Edit: I love the drift wood I need something like that, but cant bring my self to pay hundreds for some wood.
 
I would raise KH and pH by using the mix detailed in this article: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWsubwebindex/fwh2oquality.htm

My pH was also at 6 or below, and my pond did show those trace amounts of Ammonia. After adding this mix, KH is from 0 to 4, and pH is from less than 6 to 7.2. Ammonia is steadily 0.

The biological filter needs a certain pH to function, and your water's pH may be too low.

What is your KH? If your pH is that high out of the tap, and then falls so quickly, you may have a problem with KH.

The mix detailed in that article will solve for both. I use it in all of my tanks and my pond with every water change, because it's really wonderful and cheap and easy to use.

I hope this helps.
 
nfored;3706059; said:
While Carbon may not help your system, the bags themselfs likely had some BB on them. So you might have removed some of the bio media, what else is in the filter for bio.

Drift would can lower your pH, I had a problem with low pH with drift wood, I ended up using crushed coral in my sump to help out. Nitrate levels that are high, which yours are not, can cause lowering pH over time.

Edit: I love the drift wood I need something like that, but cant bring my self to pay hundreds for some wood.
Click to expand...

I just have the 4 biowheels for bio.
Thanks, I got the driftwood for $75.

What is your KH? If your pH is that high out of the tap, and then falls so quickly, you may have a problem with KH.
Click to expand...

My total hardness is just over 150 (GH) ppm and my total alkalinity is just below 40 (KH) ppm.
 
So if my alkalinity is that low (below 40 KH), does that mean my pH can change much more easily?

EDIT: Also, I'm thinking about upgrading my filtration. I have an empty 55gal that I was thinking about turning into a wet/dry with a 3drawer setup. I want my turnover rate to be as high as possible. Drsfostersmith sells an eshopps PF-1800 overflow box (12"x4"x10"tall, dual intakes, 1.5" bulkhead, 1600gph) for $94. It looks like a pump rated for just a little bit less than that overflow box gph would be around the same price. I know I won't really get 1600gph from that overflow box, so what gph should I look for in a pump?

I figure the 55g wet/dry would end up costing me under $220 out the door. Would you guys do that, or buy a similarly priced canister filter?
 
Before you do anything I think I'd follow VFC's advice

If so, you should do daily 10-15% WCs until the PH stabilizes.
Click to expand...

If in a week or two that hasn't fixed your problem then I'd start looking at bigger, more complex (expensive) problems.
 
kallmond;3707119; said:
Before you do anything I think I'd follow VFC's advice

If in a week or two that hasn't fixed your problem then I'd start looking at bigger, more complex (expensive) problems.
Click to expand...

Will do. I just did a 15% water change, vacuumed the gravel, and put ammo chips in one of the emp 400's.
 
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